1521
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in a fight with natives of the Philippines.
1805
The U.S. Marines captured Derna, on the shores of Tripoli.
1865
The worst steamship disaster in the history of the United States occurred when there was an explosion aboard the Sultana; more than 1,400 people were killed.
1956
Rocky Marciano retired as undefeated world heavyweight boxing champion.
1961
Sierra Leone gained independence from Great Britain.
1983
Pitcher Nolan Ryan surpassed Walter Johnson’s strikeout record—one that had held since 1927.
1987
Austrian president Kurt Waldheim was barred from entering the United States. He was accused of aiding in the execution of thousands of Jews in World War II.
1993
Eritrea declared itself independent.
Birthdays
Mary Wollstonecraft
author and feminist (1759)
Samuel F. B. Morse
inventor (1791)
Ulysses S. Grant
American General and President (1822)
C. Day Lewis
author (1904)
Coretta Scott King
civil-rights leader (1927)
August Wilson
playwright (1945)